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Friday, October 19, 2012

Superhero12: Molly Schroeder on Project 17 What Does Learning Look Like in 2017

Molly Schroeder at Superhero 12

My colleague, Molly Schroeder led this session on "What Will Learning Look Like in 2017?" We began attempting to individually answer questions on the Google Doc about what learning might look like.In her experience as a Google Certified Teacher, she has visited many Google offices, and has seen many different cool work environments. In fact, at Google, they recognize that work does not have to always happen at "your desk." She recently had the opportunity to visit Albany Senior High School in Auckland, New Zealand. The school opened recently with the philosophy that learning is an active 2-way process.

Learning spaces today need to be flexible. We saw that here at the conference, where people gathered to share ideas. Albany has windows and spaces that connect the inside to the outside community.

The space is open and shared.

They don't have bells, because they don't want to signify that learning has a beginning and an end. Kids begin their learning on the bus!

There are white-boards everywhere in the school to provide informal learning spaces.

They want to connect their learners to the space and the space to the community. Windows and garage door openings allow for this. Not sure how that would work in the Minnesota climate, but it makes sense for more temperate locations!

The media center serves as a "quiet space," with few non-fiction materials, but a lot of fiction and digital content.

There is a gathering space known as "The Mountain Top," where students could share their work.

Their teacher space has windows so that students see teachers as learners. I think this is a huge shift!

They are BYOD, with projectors but know Interactive White Boards.

Impact ProjectSchroeder noted that students passions were ignited through a 20% project, called the "Impact Project." Every Wednesday, students work on a project that nurtures a "life-long delight in learning!"The students have to prepare, present a proposal, plan, perform the plan, present and then reflect. Two of the three trimesters the students work on an impact project. The third trimester is spent preparing for national tests. These projects can be collaborative, which helps develop those skills. This sounds very similar to the vison that Minnesota Department of Education Commissioner Brenda Cassellius shared as her vision for assessment in the future when she spoke at our Education Minnesota Conference.You can share your vision for leaning in 2017 on Molly's form, here.With this input, along with input we gather from the Designing A New Learning Environment course, we hope to put together a vision for new learning in Edina and beyond.